Not as bad as I thought

Rating: 6/10 (13 January 2006)

The reviews for this thing were miserable. This film was the turkey of the summer (box-office wise). But after watching it, I have to say it wasn't as bad as the reviewers made me believe. It's not good, but no more worse than the average Hollywood blockbuster.
It's formulaic: that means a male lead, a romantic interest, an evil corporation sending lots a bad men to kill the lead and of course a car chase.
I haven't been a fan of Ewan McGregor since he moved to Hollywood. I thought he was perfect in Trainspotting. But whenever I see him in an American film, with his forced American accent, he comes of as inauthentic, unnatural. Thus is the case here. He doesn't bring something extra to the part of Tom Lincon.
Johansson is grosly underused. I had the same feeling with Angelina Jolie in 'Gone in 60 seconds'. It's not Johansson's fault she's the damsel in distress for two hours, she's just working with the material she's been given.
Bay's direction is as can be expected. Beautifully shot, with hyper-kinetic action. Bay's also one of the few action directors who has an eye for human drama. But he doesn't reinvent himself like most great directors do. His style has been the same since Bad Boys. Too bad, when you're this talented, you have to take a chance and try something else than summer blockbusters.
The thing that irritated me was the fact that this film is loaded with product placement. Normally you see one or two brands, but this film has something like 10 brands in bold, shiny letters coming through the screen. I know Bay's background is advertising, but if he wants to make commercials he shouldn't be asking me to pay an admission fee.